Mounting mechanism

ABSTRACT

A mounting mechanism for attaching an article to a wall includes a first portion adapted to be attached to the wall and a second portion adapted to be attached to the article. The first portion includes at least one aperture formed therein, and at least one projection depending therefrom. In one embodiment, the first portion includes a tab depending therefrom. The second portion includes at least one aperture formed therein and at least one projection depending. To effectuate attachment of the article to the wall, the first portion and the second portion are engaged with one another. During engagement of the first portion and the second portion with one another, the at least one projection of the first portion is received in the at least one aperture of the second portion and the at least one projection of the second portion is received in the at least one aperture of the first portion to constrain movement of the first portion and the second portion relative to one another. In the embodiment including the tab, the tab constrains movement of the first portion and the second portion relative to one another during engagement of the first portion and the second portion with one another.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is generally related to a mounting mechanism for securing an article to a wall. More particularly, the present invention is related to a mounting mechanism facilitating attachment of an article to a wall using a first portion and a second portion engaging one another. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a mounting mechanism having a first portion that is attached to a wall and a second portion that is attached to an article, the engagement of the first portion and the second portion serving to secure the article to the wall.

BACKGROUND

Articles such as towel bars, towel rings, robe hooks, and toilet paper holders are attached to walls using various mounting mechanisms designed to purposefully hide relatively large mechanical fasteners. For example, mechanical fasteners such as drywall screws are relatively large in comparison to the articles, and are necessary for providing structural rigidity to the connection between the article and the wall. However, leaving such relatively large mechanical fasteners exposed on the exteriors of the articles is usually not aesthetically pleasing.

Typically, the various mounting mechanisms used to hide such relatively large mechanical fasteners incorporate a plate attached to the wall using the large mechanical fasteners, and incorporate a separate smaller mechanical fastener for attaching the article to the plate. The separate smaller mechanical fastener is usually a set screw requiring a special tool to effectuate operation thereof. Because of the inconvenience of requiring a special tool and the additional time necessary to manipulate the separate smaller mechanical fastener, there is a need for a mounting mechanism eliminating the need for a separate smaller mechanical fastener such as a set screw.

SUMMARY

The present invention contemplates a mounting mechanism including a first portion adapted to be attached to a wall, the first portion having at least one aperture formed therein, at least one projection depending therefrom, and a tab depending therefrom, and a second portion adapted to be attached to an article, the second portion having at least one aperture formed therein and at least one projection depending therefrom, where, to effectuate attachment of the article to the wall, the first portion and the second portion are engaged with one another, the at least one projection of the first portion being received in the at least one aperture of the second portion and the at least one projection of the second portion being received in the at least one aperture of the first portion to constrain movement of the first portion and the second portion relative to one another, and the tab being engaged with the article to constrain movement of the first portion and the second portion relative to one another, the article being notched to provide access so that the tab can be disengaged.

The present invention further contemplates a mounting mechanism including a first portion adapted to be attached to a wall, the first portion having a body, an upper wall interconnected with the body, a lower wall interconnected with the body, and sidewalls extending along the body, the upper wall having at least one projection depending therefrom, and the lower wall having at least one aperture provided therein, and a second portion adapted to be attached to an article, the second portion having a body, an upper wall interconnected with the body, and sidewalls extending along the body, the body including at least one projection depending therefrom, and the upper wall having at least one aperture provided therein, where, to effectuate attachment of the article to the wall, the first portion and the second portion are engaged with one another, the at least one projection of the first portion being received in the at least one aperture of the second portion and the at least one projection of the second portion being received in the at least one aperture of the first portion to constrain movement of the first portion and the second portion relative to one another, the upper wall of the first portion and the upper wall of the second portion contacting one another and the lower wall of the first portion contacting the body of the second portion to constrain movement of the first portion and the second portion relative to one another, and the sidewalls of the first portion and the sidewalls of the second portion contacting one another to constrain movement of the first portion and the second portion relative to one another.

The present invention still further contemplates a mounting mechanism including a first portion attached to a wall, a second portion attached to an article, and a tab depending from the first portion, where the second portion is received on the first portion to facilitate attachment of the article to the wall, the tab constraining movement of the first portion and the second portion relative to one another, and the first portion and the second portion being disengaged from one another by moving the tab away from the article.

Further embodiments, variations, and enhancements are also described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view depicting a first portion and a second portion of a mounting mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention in proximate relationship to the hub of a bathroom accessory.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view depicting the assembled mounting mechanism depicted in FIG. 1, where the first portion and the second portion are engaged with one another.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the first portion of the mounting mechanism.

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of one side of the first portion of the mounting mechanism.

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of another side of the first portion of the mounting mechanism as depicted in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the first portion of the mounting mechanism taken along Line 6-6 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the second portion of the mounting mechanism.

FIG. 8 is an elevational view of one side of the second portion of the mounting mechanism.

FIG. 9 is an elevational view of another side of the second portion of the mounting mechanism as depicted in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the second portion of the mounting mechanism taken along Line 10-10 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view depicting the engagement of the first portion and the second portion.

FIG. 12 is an elevational view of one side of the assembled mounting mechanism, where the first portion and the second portion are engaged with one another.

FIG. 13 is an elevational view of another side of the assembled mounting mechanism depicted in FIG. 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A mounting mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention is generally indicated by the numeral 20 in the accompanying drawings. The mounting mechanism 20 can be used to attach bathroom accessories such as paper holders, robe hooks, towel bars, and towel rings to a wall (not shown). The bathroom accessories each include a hub generally indicated by the character H in FIGS. 1 and 2. The mounting mechanism 20 includes a first portion 22 (FIGS. 1-6, and 11-13) and a second portion 24 (FIGS. 1, 2, and 7-13). The first portion 22 serves as a base and can be attached to the wall using mechanical fasteners 26 or other attachment alternative. The second portion 24 serves as a collar and can be attached to the hub H using mechanical fasteners 28 or other attachment alternative. The first portion 22 and second portion 24 cooperate with one another to facilitate attachment of the hub H and, hence, the bathroom accessory to the wall.

As shown in FIGS. 2, and 11-13, the second portion 24 is received on the first portion 22 to facilitate attachment of the bathroom accessory to the wall. For example, the engagement of the first portion 22 and the second portion 24 constrains movement, primarily outward, side-to-side, and downward movement of the hub H and, hence, the bathroom accessory relative to the wall. Furthermore, the engagement of the first portion 22 with the hub H constrains movement, primarily upward movement of the hub H and, hence, the bathroom accessory relative to the wall. As such, when the first portion 22 is attached to the wall, and the second portion 24 is attached to the hub H, the engagement of the first portion 22 and the second portion 24, and the engagement of the first portion 22 with the hub H, serve to securely attach the hub H and, hence, the bathroom accessory to the wall.

The first portion 22 includes a body 32 having a first side 34, a second side 35, an upper wall 36, a lower wall 38, and sidewalls 40 and 42. The body 32 also has apertures 44, 45, and 46 provided therethrough for receiving the mechanical fasteners 26. The mechanical fasteners 26, as discussed above, are used to attach the first portion 22 to the wall. For example, as depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, the mechanical fasteners 26 can be received in apertures 44 and 46 to attach the first portion 22 to the wall.

The second side 35 of the body 32 includes recesses 47, 48, and 49 provided adjacent the apertures 44, 45, and 46, respectively. The recesses 47, 48, and 49 are provided to accommodate drywall anchors (not shown) used to receive the mechanical fasteners 26. The recesses 47, 48, and 49 accommodate portions of the drywall anchors that may protrude beyond the plane of the wall and allow the second side 35, and, hence, the body 32 to interface flushly with the wall. In doing so, the recesses 47, 48, and 49 also allow the hub H, when the first portion 22 and the second portion 24 are engaged with one another, to interface flushly with the wall

As depicted best in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, the upper wall 36 of the first portion 22 includes a first projection 50 and a second projection 51, and the lower wall 38 includes a first aperture 52 and a second aperture 53. The first projection 50 and the second projection 51, and the first aperture 52 and the second aperture 53, as discussed below, cooperate with complimentary structures provided on the second portion 24. In doing so, the first projection 50, the second projection 51, the first aperture 52, the second aperture 53, and the complimentary structures provided on the second portion 24 serve in constraining movement, primarily outward, side-to-side, and downward movement of the second portion 24 and the hub H relative to the first portion 22 and the wall. As such, the first projection 50, the second projection 51, the first aperture 52, the second aperture 53, and the complimentary structures provided on the second portion 24 facilitate secure engagement of the first portion 22 and the second portion 24 with one another and, therefore, secure attachment of the hub H and the bathroom accessory to the wall.

A tab or catch 54 depends from the lower wall 38 of the first portion 22. In one embodiment, the tab 54 includes a base section 56, a tongue 57, and a shoulder 58 that is formed between the base section 56 and the tongue 57. As discussed below, the tab 54 is provided to constrain movement, primarily upward movement of the hub H and, hence, the bathroom accessory relative to the first portion 22 and the wall. The tab 54 can be provided to engage complimentary structures formed on the hub H and/or second portion 24 to constrain such movement. For example, in one embodiment of the present invention as discussed below, the shoulder 58 is provided to engage a complimentary structure formed on the hub H to constrain such movement.

The second portion 24 includes a body 62 having a first side 64, a second side 65, an upper wall 66, and sidewalls 70 and 72. The space defined by the upper wall 66 and sidewalls 70 and 72 is sized to accommodate the first portion 22. That is, to facilitate engagement of the first portion 22 and the second portion 24 with one another, the space provided between the upper wall 66 and sidewalls 70 and 72 is capable of accommodating the first portion 22. Furthermore, the body 62 has apertures 74 and 75 provided therethrough for receiving the mechanical fasteners 28. As discussed above, the mechanical fasteners 28 are used to attach the second portion 24 to the hub H.

As depicted best in FIGS. 7 and 9, the upper wall 66 of the second portion 24 includes a first aperture 80 and a second aperture 81, and, as best shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the body 62 includes a first projection 82 and a second projection 83 depending therefrom. The first aperture 80 and the second aperture 81 receive the first projection 50 and the second projection 51, respectively, and the first projection 82 and the second projection 83 are received in the first aperture 52 and the second aperture 53, respectively. In doing so, the first aperture 80 and the second aperture 81 together with the first projection 50 and the second projection 51, and the first projection 82 and the second projection 83 together with the first aperture 52 and the second aperture 53, serve to constrain movement, primarily outward, side-to-side, and downward movement of the second portion 24 and the hub H relative to the first portion 22 and the wall. As such, the first aperture 80 and the second aperture 81 together with the first projection 50 and the second projection 51, and the first projection 83 and the second projection 82 together with the first aperture 52 and the second aperture 53, facilitate secure engagement of the first portion 22 and the second portion 24 relative to one another and, therefore, secure attachment of the hub H and the bathroom accessory to the wall.

As depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, the second portion 24 is received in a recess R formed in the hub H. The recess R includes apertures 86 and 87 for receiving the fasteners 28. As such, the mechanical fasteners 28 can be received in the apertures 74 and 75 and apertures 86 and 87 to attach the second portion 24 to the hub H.

To engage the first portion 22 and the second portion 24, the hub H and, hence, the second portion 24, is initially positioned adjacent the first portion 22 so that the first portion 22 is received within the space defined by the upper wall 66 and sidewalls 70 and 72 of the second portion 24. Thereafter, downward movement of the hub H and, hence, the second portion 24 relative to the first portion 22 moves the first projection 50 and the second projection 51 into the first aperture 80 and the second aperture 81, respectively, and moves the first projection 82 and the second projection 83 into the first aperture 52 and the second aperture 53, respectively. Receipt of the first projection 50 and the second projection 51 into the first aperture 80 and the second aperture 81, respectively, and of the first projection 82 and the second projection 83 into the first aperture 52 and the second aperture 53 serves in effectuating engagement of the first portion 22 and the second portion 24 with one another.

During engagement of the first portion 22 and the second portion 24 with one another, the upper wall 66 is supported by the upper wall 36, and the body 62 is supported by the lower wall 38. Such engagement serves to constrain movement, primarily downward movement of the second portion 24 and the hub H relative to the first portion 22 and the wall. Also, during engagement of the first portion 22 and the second portion 24 with one another, the sidewalls 40 and 42 contact the sidewalls 70 and 72, respectively, and such engagement serves to constrain movement, primarily side-to-side movement of the second portion 24 and the hub H relative to the first portion 22 and the wall. Furthermore, receipt of the first projection 50 and the second projection 51 within the first aperture 80 and the second aperture 81, respectively, and receipt of the first projection 82 and the second projection 83 within the first aperture 52 and the second aperture 53, respectively, constrains movement, primarily outward, side-to-side, and downward movement of the second portion 24 and the hub H relative to the first portion 22 and the wall. Therefore, when the first portion 22 is attached to the wall, and the second portion 24 is attached to the hub H, the engagement of the first portion 22 and the second portion 24 with one another serves in securely attaching the hub H and the bathroom accessory to the wall.

As depicted best in FIG. 2, when the first portion 22 and the second portion 24 are engaged with one another, the tab 54 engages the hub H to constrain movement of the hub H relative to the first portion 22. For example, when the tab 54 engages the hub H, the shoulder 58 contacts a shoulder S formed on the hub H. The shoulder S is formed adjacent a notch N (FIGS. 1 and 2) provided in the hub H. So that the shoulder 58 contacts the shoulder S flushly, the notch N accommodates the tab 54 (FIG. 2) during engagement of the first portion 22 and the second portion 24.

The contact of the shoulder 58 with the shoulder S, by constraining movement, primarily upward movement of the hub H relative to the first portion 22, serves to maintain engagement of the first portion 22 and the second portion 24 by retaining the first portion 22 within the confines of the space provided between the upper wall 66 and the sidewalls 70 and 72 of the second portion 24. As such, the tab 54 and shoulder S serve as a locking mechanism to constrain movement, primarily upward movement of the second portion 24 and the hub H relative to the first portion 22 and the wall. In doing so, the tab 54 and shoulder S maintain the engagement of the first portion 22 and the second portion 24 with one another and, hence, serve in securely attaching the hub H and the bathroom accessory to the wall.

To release engagement of the shoulder 58 with the shoulder S, a tool can be used to move or deflect the tab 54. The tab 54 is moveable from an engagement position (i.e., where the shoulder 58 and the shoulder S contact one another) to a release position (i.e., where the shoulder 58 and the shoulder S do not contact one another). For example, the head of a slotted or flat-head screw driver can be inserted into the notch N between the hub H and the tongue 57. In doing so, the head of the slotted or flat-head screw driver can be used to deflect the tongue 57, thereby deflecting the tab 54 to the release position. Once engagement of the shoulder 58 and shoulder S is released, the first portion 22 and the second portion 24 can be disengaged from one another, so that the hub H and the bathroom accessory can be removed from attachment to the wall.

While the terms upward, downward, outward, and side-to-side have been used for explanatory purposes, those terms are applicable when mounting mechanism 20 is oriented in the direction shown in the drawings. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the mounting mechanism 20 can be oriented in other directions and those terms would be applicable relative to the mounting direction of the mounting mechanism 20. Furthermore, while in accordance with the Patent Statutes, only the best mode and exemplary embodiments have been presented and described in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto or thereby. 

1. A mounting mechanism, comprising: a first portion adapted to be attached to a wall, said first portion having at least one aperture formed therein, at least one projection depending therefrom, and a tab depending therefrom, and a second portion adapted to be attached to an article, said second portion having at least one aperture formed therein and at least one projection depending therefrom, wherein, to effectuate attachment of the article to the wall, said first portion and said second portion are engaged with one another, said at least one projection of said first portion being received in said at least one aperture of said second portion and said at least one projection of said second portion being received in said at least one aperture of said first portion to constrain movement of said first portion and said second portion relative to one another, and said tab being engaged with the article to constrain movement of said first portion and said second portion relative to one another, the article being notched to provide access so that said tab can be disengaged.
 2. A mounting mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said tab includes a shoulder, said shoulder engaging the article to maintain engagement of said first portion and said second portion with one another.
 3. A mounting mechanism according to claim 2, wherein said tab includes a tongue, said first portion and said second portion capable of being disengaged from one another by moving said tongue away from the article.
 4. A mounting mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said first portion includes a body and an upper wall interconnected with said body, and said at least one projection of said first portion depends from said upper wall of said first portion, and wherein said second portion includes a body and an upper wall interconnected with said body, and said at least one aperture of said second portion is formed in said upper wall of said second portion, when said first portion and said second portion are engaged, said upper wall of said first portion and said upper wall of said second portion contact one another to constrain movement of said first portion and said second portion relative to one another.
 5. A mounting mechanism according to claim 4, wherein said first portion includes sidewalls extending along said body thereof, wherein said second portion includes sidewalls extending along said body thereof, and when said first portion and said second portion are engaged, said sidewalls of said first portion and said sidewalls of said second portion contact one another to constrain movement of said first portion and said second portion relative to one another.
 6. A mounting mechanism, comprising: a first portion adapted to be attached to a wall, said first portion having a body, an upper wall interconnected with said body, a lower wall interconnected with said body, and sidewalls extending along said body, said upper wall having at least one projection depending therefrom, and said lower wall having at least one aperture provided therein, and a second portion adapted to be attached to an article, said second portion having a body, an upper wall interconnected with said body, and sidewalls extending along said body, said body including at least one projection depending therefrom, and said upper wall having at least one aperture provided therein, wherein, to effectuate attachment of the article to the wall, said first portion and said second portion are engaged with one another, said at least one projection of said first portion being received in said at least one aperture of said second portion and said at least one projection of said second portion being received in said at least one aperture of said first portion to constrain movement of said first portion and said second portion relative to one another, said upper wall of said first portion and said upper wall of said second portion contacting one another and said lower wall of said first portion contacting said body of said second portion to constrain movement of said first portion and said second portion relative to one another, and said sidewalls of said first portion and said sidewalls of said second portion contacting one another to constrain movement of said first portion and said second portion relative to one another.
 7. A mounting mechanism according to claim 6, further comprising a tab depending from said first portion, said tab engaging the article to constrain movement of said first portion and said second portion relative to one another.
 8. A mounting mechanism according to claim 7, wherein said tab includes a shoulder, said shoulder engaging the article to maintain engagement of said first portion and said second portion with one another.
 9. A mounting mechanism according to claim 8, wherein said tab includes a tongue, and the article is notched to provide access to said tongue, said first portion and said second portion capable of being disengaged from one another by moving said tongue away from the article.
 10. A mounting mechanism, comprising: a first portion attached to a wall, a second portion attached to an article, and a tab depending from said first portion, wherein said second portion is received on said first portion to facilitate attachment of the article to the wall, said tab constraining movement of said first portion and said second portion relative to one another, and said first portion and said second portion being disengaged from one another by moving said tab away from the article.
 11. A mounting mechanism according to claim 10, wherein said tab engages the article to constrain movement of said first portion and said second portion.
 12. A mounting mechanism according to claim 10, wherein said tab engages said second portion to constrain movement of said first portion and said second portion.
 13. A mounting mechanism according to claim 10, wherein said tab includes a shoulder, said shoulder engaging the article to maintain engagement of said first portion and said second portion with one another.
 14. A mounting mechanism according to claim 13, wherein said tab includes a tongue, and the article is notched to provide access to said tongue, said first portion and said second portion capable of being disengaged from one another by moving said tongue away from the article. 